Just wondering? does the Remington bolt also have the heavy spring inside? Total copy as far as I see, actually the Benelli bolt looks to be better machined in my opinion. So here is a question if the spring is in the Remington bolt, what function does it have as the Remington is supposed to be gas? Maybe just gas assisted?

Here is the Versamax bolt in the SBE II. It cycles, the hammer hits the firing pin and it operates and locks back just like it was made for it. of course the bolt head would not lock up in the benelli Barrel but I think I could put the Benelli bolt head in the Versamax carrier. the inside of the bolt carriers are very similar and there is probably room for the inertia spring. I just found this all very interesting. the big difference is the quality of work. the Remington part looks like a rough casting compared to the Benelli that has been properly finished.

Yes the Benelli Bolt Carrier will fit in the Versamax receiver too but is a bit tight.

rerhardt wrote:Just wondering? does the Remington bolt also have the heavy spring inside? Total copy as far as I see, actually the Benelli bolt looks to be better machined in my opinion. So here is a question if the spring is in the Remington bolt, what function does it have as the Remington is supposed to be gas? Maybe just gas assisted?

There is no spring but that is more in line with the Gas operation of the Benelli M4. and you are correct about the quality of the parts, The Remington parts fail in comparison It appears That the Remington part is cast and the Benelli part is machined.

The one thing I don't like the looks of in the design of the versamax is that they made the ejection port a little too long on the rear end. It looks like that if the firing pin retainer were to wok its way loose it could either fall out of the gun or be snapped off when the bolt cycles. On the benelli, the pin is always captured within the receiver so it physically can not come out without disassembling the gun. I'm sure it's probably a non issue. Just something that caught my eye.

The Firing pin retainer is the same as the Benelli and is held in with the same rubber "O" ring. It does not come out without some effort but I can see where that could be an issue if the "O" ring broke and left the pin loose so that it could fall out. BUT the firing pin keeps pressure on this pin also when at rest so it acts as a bit of retention also.

rerhardt wrote:Just wondering? does the Remington bolt also have the heavy spring inside? Total copy as far as I see, actually the Benelli bolt looks to be better machined in my opinion. So here is a question if the spring is in the Remington bolt, what function does it have as the Remington is supposed to be gas? Maybe just gas assisted?

There is no spring but that is more in line with the Gas operation of the Benelli M4. and you are correct about the quality of the parts, The Remington parts fail in comparison It appears That the Remington part is cast and the Benelli part is machined.

I see from your photos you have a performance shop edition sbe, how has it been for you?

Interesting thread. I am familiar with the similarities between the M4 and VM but have not had the opportunity to do a direct hands on comparison. The VM has been largely dismissed by the "B" gun crowd thus far. I find it refreshing that someone is actually doing a logical comparison, pointing out the similarities and differences between the two. I will continue to follow this thread to see how it turns out. But the true test in my opinion will be time. The design is no doubt proven. The execution is the only issue that remains in question. Largely for Remington...